Bangkok (Lonely Planet) - Andrew Burke [173]
DREAM
Map Boutique Hotel $$$
0 2254 8500; www.dreambkk.com; 10 Soi 15, Th Sukhumvit; r from US$250; Sukhumvit exit 1; Asok exit 1;
We must have looked doubtful about the blue neon glow in the bedroom, and the woman showing us around sounded like she’d seen the reaction often enough. ‘The blue lights are the Dream signature,’ she explained, ‘we have some scientific studies that prove it makes you sleep deeper.’ The blue-lit rooms are just one of the features that set Dream apart from your average boutique or design hotel. It’s totally different. The 195 rooms in two buildings are a rock-star world of cream leather, mirrors, silver and blue motifs and, in the uber-chic Flava lounge-bar-cum-restaurant, a white tiger (yes, blue stripes) and pink leopard. Rooms come with free wi-fi, coffee machines and big flatscreen TVs. The suites, however, are overpriced. Huuuuge discounts online, from 2800B.
EUGENIA
Map Boutique Hotel $$$
0 2259 9017; www.theeugenia.com; 267 Soi 31, Th Sukhumvit; r 6600-8500B; Phrom Phong exit 5 & taxi;
The Eugenia is one unique boutique. Dreamt up by ‘Taiwanese Indiana Jones’ Eugene Yu-Cheng Yeh, the 12-room residence is modelled on the colonial mansions of Africa and the subcontinent. Think Livingston/Hemingway/Indian Raj, with the rooms and public spaces packed full of art, books, antique furniture, beaten copper bathtubs and dead animals (we counted zebra, warthog, crocodile, various antelope, peacock and duck). It’s not, however, devoid of modern luxuries, with wi-fi internet, VoIP telephony and minibar all included in the rate. Our only criticism is that the rooms aren’t huge, especially the tiny Siam suites. Ask about the airport trips in the vintage Mercedes and Jags.
S15
Map Boutique Hotel $$$
0 2651 2000; www.s15hotel.com; 217 Th Sukhumvit, cnr Soi 15; r 5100-8000B; Sukhumvit exit 3; Asok exit 5;
Among the better ‘boutique’ options along Sukhumvit, sleek S15 has at least half an eye on the business market, with free wi-fi and a business centre and meeting room to go with the central location. The reasonably sized rooms are a mix of the browns and whites so preferred by boutique hotels, augmented with modern Asian ornaments. It works pretty well, though better value is available. If you find yourself yearning for something more grungy, the classic little restaurant on the opposite corner of Soi 15 should satisfy. Online from 3750B.
GRAND MILLENNIUM SUKHUMVIT
Map Hotel $$$
0 2204 4000; www.grandmillenniumskv.com; 30 Soi Asoke, Th Sukhumvit; r from 4600B; Sukhumvit exit 2; Asok exit 2;
Looking like a giant glass zipper opening from the top down, the Grand Millennium is popular with both business and leisure travellers and with good reason. Its 325 bright, spacious (minimum 38 sq metres) and tastefully furnished rooms are set around a triangular atrium fronted by acres of glass. If you don’t suffer from vertigo, they’re great for business, with decent-sized desks, wi-fi (489B a day) and ADSL internet, and there’s even a putting green on top of the carpark. In most respects – the service, restaurants and standard rooms – this hotel is well worth its ‘grand’ classification; only the tacked-together suites let it down. Online from 3900B (room only).
SEVEN
Map Boutique Hotel $$
0 2662 0951; www.sleepatseven.com; 3/15 Soi 31, Th Sukhumvit; r 3100-6000B; Phrom Phong exit 5;
This boutique hotel from the designers of London’s Ministry of Sound comes with a truly Thai concept. Thais believe each day has its own colour (eg Monday is yellow, and everyone wears a yellow shirt for the king), and each of the seven rooms (including the lobby-cum-bar) is themed in its own colour. Rooms are well